New moms: Welcome to this fraternity called Motherhood

You new moms are so adorable! You care about everything, worry about everything and are so easily overwhelmed. I love it as much as I love that new baby smell.

Welcome to the fraternity called Motherhood.

When I think of what you're in for, I smile. Why? Because all of us have had to suffer through our "freshman year." We lure you in with fun stories of our precious moments and playgroups and then, BAM, you're up all night with a screaming baby and a husband who can't hear a thing. It may or may not be instinct. You will argue about this.

Anyway, unlike seniors in a fraternity, we seasoned moms are here for you. We will gladly lend a hand, give advice and that much-needed pat on the back of encouragement.

No, no, it's not us you need to worry about.

Your new bundle of joy will do the initiation for us. Not only will you endure the sleepless nights, but your new baby will hose you with an array of bodily fluids. There will be hair pulling, a head to the nose and fingers in the eye. And it's a rite of passage to be smacked in the face by your baby. I remember my own first baby slap like it was yesterday. It hurt. It hurt bad.

We don't tell you this until it's too late, partly because we have a sick sense of humor, but mostly because we need new recruits. Let's face it, if you have a job and care about your children's future ... you owe it to society to reproduce.

The good news is you're in and it will be awesome when you make it through. We will all be bonded together in this thing we call motherhood and the bonds are strong. Newbies who struggle together will make friendships that last a lifetime, and regardless of commonalities you will be able to talk to just about anyone if they are on Team Mom.

So ... welcome. We love you. Hang in there. Don't be mad as we smile smugly. Think of it as us remembering everything WE have had to overcome and how eventually, your suffering will bring us closer together.

By the way, your "freshman year" lasts from years 0-4 and then it's just a different kind of hard.

Love ya!

Jen Reekie was born and raised in Quincy and received a communications degree at the University of Kansas, which has come in quite handy as she communicates every day with four children who don't hear a word she says. This stay-at-home mom enjoys the challenge, though, and shares her experiences in this blog, "Mum's the Word." She welcomes your feedback, questions and stories about staying sane while raising kids.